Providing information, education, and training to build knowledge, develop skills, and change attitudes that will lead to increased independence, productivity, self determination, integration and inclusion (IPSII) for people with developmental disabilities and their families.

Serveminnesota Urges Minnesotans With Disabilities to Consider Americorps Service

AmeriCorps members help communities, gain career
experience and
receive a living allowance and scholarship

Minneapolis — June 26, 2006 — People with disabilities who have a desire to give back to the community, gain career skills and earn financial support for education are urged to consider joining AmeriCorps in Minnesota for the 2006-2007 service year. The appeal comes from ServeMinnesota, the nonprofit agency that administers the AmeriCorps program in the state.

Often referred to as the “domestic Peace Corps,” AmeriCorps offers opportunities for people age 17 and older from all walks of life to serve communities.

Minnesota is recognized as a national leader in its efforts to include people with disabilities in AmeriCorps. Currently, 91 — or 21 percent of — AmeriCorps members in Minnesota report having a disability, a dramatic increase over six years ago when only two members reported a disability. This year across the state, 424 AmeriCorps members are serving community needs — from building affordable housing and tutoring children to securing employment for individuals with disabilities and mentoring at-risk teens.

“AmeriCorps is about opportunity — opportunity to gain career skills, give back to the community and earn financial support toward further education or to repay college loans,” said Audrey Suker, ServeMinnesota executive director. “It has long been our goal to encourage individuals with disabilities to take advantage of AmeriCorps opportunities — and to provide accommodations to ensure a positive experience.”

Each year, funds are set aside to provide reasonable accommodations to help provide equal access to AmeriCorps service positions.

Individuals who join AmeriCorps commit to part-time or full-time service for one or two years. AmeriCorps is open to U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents.

AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance and full-time members receive health insurance benefits. At the successful completion of their service term, they are awarded an Education Award, which may be used to pay future education costs or repay qualified college loans.

To learn more about AmeriCorps positions in Minnesota or request an application, contact Ryan Kelley at ServeMinnesota by calling (612) 333-7743;

ServeMinnesota is a non-profit organization dedicated to motivating and mobilizing Minnesotans to serve their communities through volunteerism. By applying its experience, expertise and resources from the federal AmeriCorps program, state appropriations and private sources to unmet community needs, ServeMinnesota acts as a catalyst for community involvement.

The GCDD is funded under the provisions of P.L. 106-402. The federal law also provides funding to the Minnesota Disability Law Center,the state Protection and Advocacy System, and to the Institute on Community Integration, the state University Center for Excellence. The Minnesota network of programs works to increase the IPSII of people with developmental disabilities and families into community life.